AMES, Iowa – Kevin Lager joined Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as an extension dairy specialist on Nov. 1. Lager will serve the western Iowa dairy region and have an office in the Sioux County Extension Office in Orange City.

Lager comes to Iowa State from Texas A&M University where he has served as an extension associate for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service since 2009. His extension experiences include nutrition and nutrient management support to dairy producers, dairy farm worker trainings and Texas dairy industry needs assessments. He has a master’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University and is working towards a doctorate in agriculture from West Texas A&M University.

“Kevin is a good fit for the Iowa State dairy team and western Iowa,” said Leo Timms, extension dairy specialist and animal science associate professor. “His nutrition and nutrient management expertise is exactly what producers are asking for. Iowa dairy producers are good business people and managing costs in this area is of great importance to them, especially this year.”

With a third of Iowa’s dairy herds and 40 percent of Iowa milk production in the western Iowa region, Lager will be able to apply his experiences working with all sizes of dairy herds. Lager grew up on a Kansas dairy farm, worked for a medium-sized operation and interned at a large Kansas dairy. Timms said there are all sizes of operations in western Iowa where the dairy industry has a significant economic impact.

“I look forward to getting to know and serving the dairy producers and the dairy industry in western Iowa,” Lager said. “Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has excellent resources and knowledgeable staff. I look forward to collaborating with them to benefit the Iowa dairy industry.”

Making the move to Iowa with Lager are his wife, Melanie, and their three sons. Lager can be reached at the Sioux County Extension Office, Orange City, or by emailing klager@iastate.edu.